Constantly republished throughout the English-speaking world in the 19th century, by the time the 1934 centenary edition was reprinted in 1947, the Tales as a published body of work were slipping into obscurity.

The Wilson’s Tales Project aims to raise awareness of the original Tales and provide a platform for contemporary artists of all types to respond to and re-tell them in modern ways to modern audiences. This has included live performances by story tellers, musicians singing the original ballads on which many were based, and stage and radio play adaptations of the Tales in historic venues. In addition, we have published our own ‘Revival Editions’ of Tales, each one retold in modern language and with an accompanying item setting out the historical accuracy, or otherwise, of the original.

We collaborate widely and work with artists, theatre companies, arts and other venues and literary, film and historic societies and festivals. We provide talks as part of our outreach to community groups, schools and retirement homes.